Full Breakdown
Scottish Children Suffer Severe Burns from Microwave-Heated Squishy Toys
6/29/2026, 10:20:35 PM
Incident Overview
In May 2024, two Scottish children were burned after microwaving gel-filled “squishy” toys. The heated gel burst, adhered to skin, and caused deep burns treated at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Origins of the Hazardous Trend
The injuries arise from an online challenge that tells users to heat soft-gel toys briefly in a microwave. The gel expands, can explode, and sticks to skin, causing severe burns.
Affected Children
Eleven-year-old Scarlet Rowe of Irvine, North Ayrshire, suffered facial and eyelid burns; eight-year-old Joseph Erskine of Clackmannanshire sustained a chest and hand burn that required a skin graft from his thigh. Both cases occurred in May 2024.
Medical Response and Treatment
Scarlet received wound care and monitoring; swelling threatened her eye but no graft was needed. Joseph’s burn failed to heal, leading surgeons to graft skin and advise two-year sunlight avoidance on the grafted area. Burns nurse Sharon Ramsay said recovery can involve weeks of dressings, physiotherapy and scar management.
Official Statements & Responses
The Scottish National Burns Centre, part of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, noted a rise in preventable burns linked to microwaving squishy toys. Burns specialist Sharon Ramsay warned the gel’s retained heat and adhesive nature make injuries severe and risk permanent scarring.
On-the-Ground Reports and Parental Criticism
Gina Rowe first thought her daughter’s facial burn was slime before recognizing heated gel. Stephanie Ewing recounted Joseph holding a towel after the gel stripped skin from his chest. Both mothers warned the trend was unknown to them, urged vigilance, and criticised the lack of safety warnings.
Data Gaps and Uncertainties
Clinicians cite a “growing number” of cases, yet NHS Scotland and public-health agencies have not released national statistics, leaving the full scale of injuries unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We didn't realise what had happened at first, it just looked like slime on her face. It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin.” — Gina Rowe, mother
- “My husband and I were home. We were sitting in the living room next door when Joseph came in holding a towel to his face. View 3 Images Eight-year-old Joseph had to get a skin graft on his chest to help treat his burns. (Image: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde/PA Wire)” — Stephanie Ewing, mother
- “Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns.” — Sharon Ramsay, burns nurse, RHC
- “The swelling was so bad that we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. Thankfully, no graft was required but it is so close to her eye that this could have been a lot worse.” — Gina Rowe, mother
Future Outlook
Health officials plan safety alerts, cooperation with schools and social-media platforms to curb the challenge, and advise parents to keep such toys out of kitchens and discuss online trends with children.
